Let me tell you about my first time stumbling down Bourbon Street - beads raining from balconies, trumpet notes mixing with laughter, and the smell of powdered sugar and seafood hanging thick in the humid air. I got completely lost near St. Louis Cathedral around midnight, and you know what? That's when I truly fell for this city. Planning your own NOLA adventure? Forget those generic lists. After five trips and countless beignets, I'll show you the real things to see in New Orleans - the iconic, the weird, and everything in-between.
French Quarter Must-Sees (Beyond Bourbon Street)
Yeah, Bourbon Street's on every list, but here's the truth: it's like Mardi Gras year-round. Fun for an hour, exhausting for two. Better things to see in New Orleans await just a block away.
Jackson Square Magic
This is the heart. Artists sketch portraits under green awnings, tarot readers beckon, and street musicians compete with cathedral bells. St. Louis Cathedral (free entry, open daily 8:30am-4pm) has that postcard-perfect view. Pro tip: Come at sunset when golden light hits the Pontalba Buildings. One fortune teller told me I'd marry a musician... still waiting on that one.
French Market Frenzy
Six blocks of pure sensory overload. Starts at Café du Monde (open 24/7, cash only) where $4 beignets come buried under powdered sugar. Further down, you'll find hot sauce samples, alligator jerky (tastes like chicken, seriously), and local art. Gets crowded around lunch - go early.
| French Quarter Spot | Address | Hours | Cost | Don't Miss |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preservation Hall | 726 St Peter St | Shows at 5,6,8,9,10pm | $20-50 cash | Intimate jazz in a no-frills space |
| Royal Street Shopping | Royal btwn Iberville & St Ann | Store hours vary | Window shopping free! | Antique galleries & ironwork balconies |
| Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop | 941 Bourbon St | 10am-3am | Drinks $8-14 | Purple Voodoo Daiquiri in candlelight |
Beyond the Quarter: Grit & Grandeur
If you only stay in the Quarter, did you really see New Orleans? These spots deliver authentic vibes without the souvenir shops.
Garden District Wanderings - Honestly, I got jealous staring at these mansions. Best explored by streetcar ($1.25/ride). Lafayette Cemetery No.1 (open daily 7am-3pm, free) has those iconic above-ground tombs. Magazine Street offers killer thrifting - check out Blue Dream Vintage.
City Park Surprises
Bigger than Central Park, y'all. Morning Bike Ride Café does fluffy biscuits, then wander through the Sculpture Garden (free). The antique carousel ($4/ride) made me feel like a kid again. Avoid the overpriced tourist traps near the entrance.
Neighborhood Gems Worth Tracking Down
- Tremé: America's oldest Black neighborhood. Congo Square has Sunday drum circles. Backstreet Cultural Museum ($20, closed Mon-Tue) shows Mardi Gras Indian costumes up close.
- Bywater: Hipster central with murals everywhere. Bacchanal Wine (walk-ins ok) has live jazz in a backyard - feels like a secret party.
- Mid-City: Where locals eat. Parkway Bakery for po'boys (expect lines) and Bayou St. John walks near historic homes.
Nightlife That Doesn't Suck
Bourbon Street can feel like a frat party. For real New Orleans things to see after dark:
| Venue | Type | Best Night | Cover | Vibe Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spotted Cat (Frenchmen St) | Jazz Club | Thu-Sat | $10 cash | Cozy, standing room only |
| Tipitina's (Uptown) | Music Hall | Fri-Sun | $15-40 | Where legends play, sticky floors included |
| Sazerac Bar (Roosevelt Hotel) | Historic Bar | Anytime | Cocktails $16+ | Swanky art deco, dress nice |
Frenchmen Street's my jam - less chaotic than Bourbon, with real musicians. Arrive before 9pm to avoid lines. Saw a trombone player there last summer who blew my mind... and my eardrums.
Museums That Don't Bore You to Tears
Skip the dusty exhibits. These tell wild New Orleans stories:
National WWII Museum
700 Camp Street. Open 9am-5pm daily. Tickets $32.50 (book online). Spent 4 hours here and still didn't see everything. The submarine experience feels too real - claustrophobics beware. Their restaurant has surprisingly good gumbo.
Pharmacy Museum
514 Chartres St. Tours at 11am/2pm Wed-Sun. $10. Creepy glass eyes in jars and 19th-century "remedies" (opium cough syrup anyone?). Small but fascinating.
Overrated alert: Mardi Gras World. Cool costumes but feels like a warehouse tour ending in a sales pitch.
Food - Where & What to Actually Eat
Forget "tourist recommended" spots. Here's where locals go:
| Must-Eat Thing | Where to Get It | Address | Price Range | Order This |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Po'boy | Domilise's | 5240 Annunciation St | $12-18 | Shrimp with extra pickles |
| Crawfish | Bevi Seafood Co | 236 N Carrollton Ave | $8-15/lb | In season only (Mar-Jun) |
| Gumbo | Dooky Chase's | 2301 Orleans Ave | $8/cup | Creole gumbo, trust me |
| Muffuletta | Central Grocery | 923 Decatur St | $24 (feeds two) | Whole, not half |
Brunch Wars - My Top Picks
- Brennan's: Bananas Foster flambéed tableside (715 Royal St) - pricey but iconic.
- Ruby Slipper: Cornflake-crusted French toast (multiple locations) - massive portions, expect waits.
- Toast: Under-the-radar gem (1456 N Broad St) - chorizo omelet under $12.
Day Trips Worth the Drive
Got time? These show Louisiana's wild side:
Swamp Tours - Did one last April and held a baby gator! Cajun Encounters ($56/person) picks up downtown. Go early when animals are active. Skip the "voodoo swamp" gimmicks.
Plantation Dilemma
Whitney Plantation focuses solely on enslaved people's stories - heavy but important. Oak Alley has those famous trees but glosses over history. Personally, Whitney affected me deeply.
Practical Stuff You Need to Know
Getting Around Without Losing Your Mind
- Streetcar: Slow but scenic. Buy Jazzy Pass for unlimited rides ($3/day). Canal Street line goes to cemeteries.
- Walking: Quarter sidewalks are uneven - ditch heels. Stay alert at night.
- Rideshares: Cheaper than cabs outside downtown.
Safety Tip: Keep flashy jewelry hidden. Stick to well-lit streets at night. If something feels sketchy, it probably is.
When to Visit & What to Pack
February-May: Festival season (cooler weather). August: HOT with cheaper hotels. Hurricane season is June-November - seriously consider travel insurance. Pack light clothes but bring one nice outfit for jazz clubs. Umbrella? Always.
Answering Your New Orleans Questions
How many days do you need for things to see in New Orleans?
Three full days minimum. One for French Quarter, one for Garden District/museums, one for food/music deep dive.
What unique things to see in New Orleans besides tourist spots?
Second line parades (check WWOZ radio schedule), Hansen's Sno-Bliz for shaved ice, streetcar ride at golden hour.
Where to hear authentic jazz?
Preservation Hall for traditional, Maple Leaf Bar for funk, Snug Harbor for modern. Avoid "jazz" places with cover bands.
Is New Orleans safe for solo travelers?
Yes, stick to populated areas. Frenchmen Street feels safer than Bourbon at night. Uber exists for reason.
Best free things to see in New Orleans?
Street performances at Jackson Square, wandering Garden District mansions, ferry to Algiers Point ($2), St. Louis Cemetery No.3 self-guided tour.
Biggest tourist traps to avoid?
Hand Grenade drinks on Bourbon (pure sugar), overpriced carriage tours, "voodoo" shops selling mass-produced junk.
Can you do New Orleans on a budget?
Absolutely. Po'boys under $15, free music everywhere, streetcar rides $1.25. Splurge on one nice dinner instead.
Final thoughts? Let New Orleans surprise you. That random second-line parade that blocks traffic, the unexpected piano bar singalong, the old guy teaching you how to crack crawfish properly - that's the magic. Forget ticking off boxes. Wander, eat, listen, repeat. And if you find my future musician husband near Frenchmen Street, send him my way.
Leave a Message